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Posted: 5/20/2024 11:56:38 AM EDT
Are there any sources for magazines anymore
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Posted: 5/20/2024 12:35:21 PM EDT
[Last Edit: 18B30]
[#1]
Haven't made factory mags since the mid 1980's.
field modify AR15 mags is your best bet. |
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Posted: 5/20/2024 12:41:29 PM EDT
[#2]
Thermold still makes a dedicated AR180 magazine. https://thermoldmagazines.com/ar-180-30/
About 5-10 years ago - Sig also had made some of its AR15 and Sig 556 mags (or its subcontractor in Israel made them) with the AR-180 slot cut in them. They look like this pic below - Currently out o production but you can find them here and there.  I like to cut metal AR15 20 and 30 Rd mags - they look the part the best. |
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Posted: 5/20/2024 2:09:55 PM EDT
[#3]
Thanks. I'll look for an instructional video and make a couple of mags. Gunbroker lists some for stupid money, so I can afford to mess up some ar15 mags while I learn.
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Posted: 5/20/2024 2:46:37 PM EDT
[#4]
Probably just individual. They were very popular during the ban years in 3-gun competitions. 100% reliable with 40 rds. But they were expensive then and probably still are now. $100+ was not uncommon.
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Posted: 5/20/2024 5:43:20 PM EDT
[#5]
Finding a Sterling AR180 mag is not easy but can occasionally find them at gun shows where someone prices it as an AR15 magazine. Keep an eye out
I like using converted AR15 20 rounders, there are lots of them out there and look like they are authentic-ish. A link below for the conversion process. https://rifleshooter.com/2019/07/ar-180-magazines-modifying-ar-15-m16-m4-magazines-to-fit-an-ar-180/ |
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Posted: 5/20/2024 9:32:20 PM EDT
[#6]
Thanks so much for that link! I was going to start looking for some instructions tonight, so this was a welcome time saver.
I gave up on gunshows several years ago...maybe I need to visit them again. 
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Posted: 5/20/2024 10:17:23 PM EDT
[#7]
I seem to remember an AR mag being sold with the cut and I thought it was Israeli and metal.
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Posted: 5/22/2024 1:59:58 PM EDT
[#8]
Do those British steel AR mags that were available during the ban work?
I thought they were called Sterling mags, but that may be where they were made. |
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Posted: 5/22/2024 2:21:42 PM EDT
[#9]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By cherenkov: Thermold still makes a dedicated AR180 magazine. https://thermoldmagazines.com/ar-180-30/ About 5-10 years ago - Sig also had made some of its AR15 and Sig 556 mags (or its subcontractor in Israel made them) with the AR-180 slot cut in them. They look like this pic below - Currently out o production but you can find them here and there.https://gun.deals/cdn-cgi/image/w=1200,h=630,f=auto/sites/default/files/MAG-556-30-BLK-PLY-1-large.jpg I like to cut metal AR15 20 and 30 Rd mags - they look the part the best. I use these. It takes some shaving and sanding to have them fit normally, but so far work fine. Be patient and put on a few good youtube videos and sand and shave away. |
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Posted: 5/22/2024 2:54:30 PM EDT
[#10]
There are some Ramline Mini-14/AR-15/AR-180 mags still about, but they're 30 years old at this point. Magpul PMag springs are a drop in exact fit, however.
Unfortunately, they don't fit every AR-180 magwell I've tried, seemingly hit or miss. |
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Posted: 5/23/2024 9:19:43 PM EDT
[#11]
This is an old sig mag I had sitting in a bin- does the cut mean it can work in an AR-180?
 Attached File |
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Posted: 5/23/2024 9:24:38 PM EDT
[#12]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By drjaydvm: This is an old sig mag I had sitting in a bin- does the cut mean it can work in an AR-180?https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/469669/IMG_7916_jpeg-3221860.JPG Yes. |
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Posted: 5/24/2024 9:11:34 AM EDT
[#13]
OP DM me your address and I’ll drop it in the mail for you. Free to good home. I have no use for it
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Posted: 5/24/2024 3:46:58 PM EDT
[#14]
Thanks!! Very generous of you.
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FL, USA
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Posted: 5/26/2024 9:36:20 AM EDT
[#15]
Best thing do to is get some cheap 20 or 30 round mags and learn how to make the cut in the mag body, cut the back of the follower down a bit and either smash or grind down the over insertion tab on the mag body.
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Posted: 5/26/2024 9:54:36 AM EDT
[#16]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By kc3: Do those British steel AR mags that were available during the ban work? I thought they were called Sterling mags, but that may be where they were made. Those British mags were made for the British SA80, and I don't think they are cut for the AR180 slot (or at least the ones I got during the 94 ban era were not). They are good heavy duty steel usually marked with a sticker that says Made in England. When the SA80 was redesigned/improved by HK, they ditched the older mags which put a lot of pre-94 surplus mags on the market at a time we needed them in the US. The SA80 was indeed an AR180 derivative, but took the standard AR15/M16 mags |
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Posted: 5/27/2024 4:01:30 PM EDT
[#17]
Thanks for the info! ☺️
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Posted: 5/28/2024 12:33:36 PM EDT
[#18]
I'm surprised that no one has made a jig for converting the magazines yet...
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Posted: 5/28/2024 2:54:17 PM EDT
[#19]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By jtb33: I'm surprised that no one has made a jig for converting the magazines yet... I’d be surprised if there wasn’t one back when these were traded more often. |
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Posted: 5/28/2024 6:29:35 PM EDT
[#20]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By ALASKANFIRE: I’d be surprised if there wasn’t one back when these were traded more often. Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By ALASKANFIRE: Originally Posted By jtb33: I'm surprised that no one has made a jig for converting the magazines yet... I’d be surprised if there wasn’t one back when these were traded more often. I know I've seen one way back. |
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Posted: 5/28/2024 6:32:56 PM EDT
[#21]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By lew: I know I've seen one way back. Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By lew: Originally Posted By ALASKANFIRE: Originally Posted By jtb33: I'm surprised that no one has made a jig for converting the magazines yet... I’d be surprised if there wasn’t one back when these were traded more often. I know I've seen one way back. I think I remember seeing a pic of one years ago. I never had the balls to do it as I mess stuff up pretty regularly when I think I can be handy. |
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Posted: 6/10/2024 2:19:39 AM EDT
[Last Edit: 762AP]
[#22]
OP, if you have spare $100s laying around, check Gunbroker for the Sterling mags.
If not, like others said, convert some USGI. There's a boatload of the USA, Triple K, etc, aftermarket 40 round AR15/AR180 mags out there, those usually go for $20-$40 when you find them, and they're good for IRA Larping, and....that's about it. Pic of my meager collection.  Attached FileLeft to right: 2 OEM Armalite 20 round "AR-18" marked 20s English Sterling marked floorplate steel parkerized 30 2, most likely Armalite Costa Mesa, "full curve" 30 round parkerized steel M-16/AR-18 magazines. Supposedly these were manufactured before the USGI 30s were being mass produced, originally made for the AR-18, then they figured they could market to the military also. Or, the other way around, I forget.... 2 aftermarket blue rust 40 rounders a converted OKAY I got with my Sterling, an Imperial Ordnance 30 round steel I'll modify someday. I got 4 of these on the plan of consolidating on those and selling everything else. That plan has worked out so well....  Last, my 75 drum, fits AR15 and the 180. Not super reliable, but, it was cheap.  Attached File |
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Posted: 6/10/2024 1:34:35 PM EDT
[#23]
That's an awesome collection of magazines.
I'm going to keep looking for them. As it stands now, I've got three of the Sig mags. I was gifted one, and bought two more at $35 each. That'll get me shooting at least 
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Posted: 6/10/2024 2:03:48 PM EDT
[Last Edit: wreckless]
[#24]
Those mags on GB are no longer $40. They all go for over $100 now. In fact, they are going closer to $200 for some odd reason.
One just sold last night for $174 |
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Posted: 6/10/2024 4:31:03 PM EDT
[Last Edit: mlaug]
[#25]
Double tap.
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Posted: 6/10/2024 4:32:25 PM EDT
[#26]
I'll remain happy with my Sig mags. They may not be correct, but if they work I won't complain. Maybe someday I'll run across a steel mag.
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Posted: 6/10/2024 8:50:53 PM EDT
[Last Edit: 762AP]
[#27]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By wreckless: Those mags on GB are no longer $40. They all go for over $100 now. In fact, they are going closer to $200 for some odd reason. One just sold last night for $174 REALLY.....  I might not "need" the pair I have now  That's crazy. They're shit mags. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ja5_gJ3nmc Brandon Hererra, bit annoying, but decent 180 porn video. He has a good line where his 40 round mags dumps about half the rounds out, "This is why Ireland isn't free...." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXX8fc2khqE Machine Gun Dad, introduction video on variations of 180 mags, and fakes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QslhIbRHHDA Mags to avoid. There are a lot of informational videos on Youtube, spend some time watching and save money and frustration later. |
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USA
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Posted: 6/21/2024 5:23:34 PM EDT
[#28]
Last, my 75 drum, fits AR15 and the 180.
Not super reliable, but, it was cheap. ahh an old firepower assault drum. they have a unique vibe about them |
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TN, USA
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Posted: 6/26/2024 1:01:53 PM EDT
[#29]
The easy "quick and dirty" way to convert an ar15 mag for use in a 180 is to take a real 180 mag and put a piece of masking tape from the top of the right hand feed lip down the side of the mag, until it covers the mag catch slot, with some room to spare. Now take a ball point pen or other fine tip marker and lightly color in the area where you can see the catch slot under the tape. Be sure you've evenly torn off the tape at the top of the feed lip. Now carefully remove the tape from the 180 mag and put it on a standard ar15 mag, running it from the right feed lip down the right side of the body, in the same place as where the catch slot would be on a 180 mag. Be sure to carefully align it on the feed lip, so the measurement wont be off. Now take a dremel tool with a cut off wheel, and buzz out the area you colored with the pen. Presto, you now have a mag that works with both an ar15 and an ar180. I did a whole bunch of mags that way, and only had one failure. The failure happened because I accidentally misaligned things, so the slot ended up being slightly too high. With that thought in mind, if you want to err on the side of caution, make your slot ever so slightly low, then test the fit in your rifle and adjust the top edge of the slot in tiny increments until you get good tight lock up.
Have fun shooting! |
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Posted: 6/26/2024 1:35:21 PM EDT
[Last Edit: TonyRumore]
[#30]
Regarding those old Sig mags with the 180 cut, I could never get them to run worth a shit in ANY AR-15, Sig 556, or AR-180.
However, due to their feed lips being too close together, they work fairly well with 450 Bushmaster rounds. Tony |
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FL, USA
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Posted: 6/28/2024 7:53:21 AM EDT
[#31]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By TonyRumore: Regarding those old Sig mags with the 180 cut, I could never get them to run worth a shit in ANY AR-15, Sig 556, or AR-180. However, due to their feed lips being too close together, they work fairly well with 450 Bushmaster rounds. Tony That's is something I need to look at. I know I have two of them somewhere in my collection. I had never used just to see if they fit in my Sterling. |
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